{"id":32347,"date":"2026-08-08T11:33:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T06:33:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=32347"},"modified":"2026-08-08T11:33:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T06:33:02","slug":"cassidy-drops-blanche-key-lifeline-after-murkowski-bucks-his-nomination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=32347","title":{"rendered":"Cassidy drops Blanche key lifeline after Murkowski bucks his nomination"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div id=\"beyondwords-wrapper\" data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"beyondwords-wrapper\">\n<p><span class=\"label-bg\">NEW<\/span>You can now listen to Fox News articles!\n  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"speakable\">As Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche&#8217;s confirmation appeared headed for sure defeat, one on-the-fence Senate Republican gave him, and President Donald Trump, a vital lifeline.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"speakable\">Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., has remained quiet throughout this and last week on how he would vote on Blanche, who barely survived his confirmation vote from the Senate Judiciary Committee. Now, after conversations with Trump&#8217;s pick to lead the Department of Justice (DOJ), the pieces are in place to confirm Blanche.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;I will vote for Mr. Blanche,&#8221; an emotional Cassidy said on the Senate floor. &#8220;I&#8217;ll be criticized for this vote. What&#8217;s new? But the people of Louisiana can be assured that I worked hard to understand the issue and to make the right decision.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_228283\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/collins-drops-hammer-trumps-pick-lead-doj-jeopardizing-path-confirmation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>COLLINS DROPS THE HAMMER ON TRUMP&#8217;S PICK TO LEAD DOJ, JEOPARDIZING PATH TO CONFIRMATION<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/343\/192\/cassidy-blanche-confirmation.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/686\/384\/cassidy-blanche-confirmation.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/672\/378\/cassidy-blanche-confirmation.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1344\/756\/cassidy-blanche-confirmation.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/931\/523\/cassidy-blanche-confirmation.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1862\/1046\/cassidy-blanche-confirmation.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/720\/405\/cassidy-blanche-confirmation.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1440\/810\/cassidy-blanche-confirmation.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1200\/675\/cassidy-blanche-confirmation.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche&#8217;s confirmation went from doomed to possible after Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., announced that he would support him.\u00a0<\/span> <span>(Aaron Schwartz\/Bloomberg via Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">With Cassidy&#8217;s green light, Blanche has a chance, even with Sen. <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_228284\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/person\/mitch-mcconnell\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., <\/a>missing in action. But to be confirmed, Senate Republicans will need an assist from Vice President JD Vance. Still, it\u2019s unclear whether the Senate will actually vote on Blanche on Friday, which could be the upper chamber\u2019s grand finale of the summer before it exits Washington, D.C., for the remainder of August.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Cassidy explained that after a series of conversations with Blanche and former DOJ officials, including former Attorney General Bill Barr, he reached the conclusion to support Trump&#8217;s pick, even after having sparred with the president since being ousted from office by him earlier this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">He contended that Blanche has been &#8220;criticized for things over which he has no control,&#8221; like Trump&#8217;s pardons of Jan. 6, 2021, rioters who stormed Capitol Hill, but was still leery of his role in the nearly $2 billion anti-weaponization fund, which the president has signaled he wants to revive.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">But he argued it would be better to have an attorney general confirmed by the Senate that could, if needed, stare down Trump on issues.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;I am realistic that President Trump can be unrelenting on this, but this will be true no matter who the attorney general is,&#8221; Cassidy said. &#8220;And this is the rationale for having a Senate-confirmed attorney general with more leverage to push back.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_228285\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/trumps-ag-pick-survives-republicans-question-white-house-deal-hold\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>TRUMP&#8217;S AG PICK SURVIVES \u2014 FOR NOW \u2014 AS REPUBLICANS QUESTION IF WHITE HOUSE DEAL WILL HOLD<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">It comes after Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced that she would not support Blanche\u2019s nomination to be the nation\u2019s top prosecutor and law enforcement official, dealing another blow to his rocky confirmation process.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Her defection, despite a heavy lobbying effort by Blanche that saw him make the trek to Alaska, means that Senate Republican leadership can\u2019t afford to lose any more votes to get him across the finish line, given that Sen. Mitch McConnell<a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_228287\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/person\/mitch-mcconnell\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">,<\/a> R-Ky., though now back home, has still not returned to the Senate.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Murkowski acknowledged Blanche\u2019s visit to Alaska and heavy lobbying effort throughout the last few weeks, but it\u2019s his connection to President <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_228288\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/person\/donald-trump\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Donald Trump\u2019s<\/a> nearly $2 billion anti-weaponization fund, and broader concerns of a weaponized Justice Department, that proved the nail in the coffin for her.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;The politicization \u2014 even weaponization \u2014 of the Department did not start with this administration but has accelerated during it,&#8221; Murkowski said in a statement. &#8220;I take issue with the handling of the release of the Epstein files; the sweeping immunity protections granted to the President, his family, and their businesses; the statements that have been made to anti-abortion groups; and the repeated targeting of individuals ranging from former administration staff to sitting <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_228289\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/politics\/senate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. Senators.<\/a>&#8220;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;I am also keenly aware that the Department\u2019s nearly $2-billion dollar slush fund\u2014which likely would have rewarded January 6 protesters\u2014is only off the table because this nomination is pending and the Senate has leverage,&#8221; she continued. &#8220;Once we vote, that will end, and there is no telling what the future holds.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_228290\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/trump-threatens-yank-his-own-ag-nominee-gop-revolt-grows\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>TRUMP THREATENS TO YANK HIS OWN AG NOMINEE AS GOP REVOLT GROWS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/343\/192\/lisa-murkowsi-talking-to-reporters-at-capitol.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/686\/384\/lisa-murkowsi-talking-to-reporters-at-capitol.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/672\/378\/lisa-murkowsi-talking-to-reporters-at-capitol.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1344\/756\/lisa-murkowsi-talking-to-reporters-at-capitol.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/931\/523\/lisa-murkowsi-talking-to-reporters-at-capitol.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1862\/1046\/lisa-murkowsi-talking-to-reporters-at-capitol.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/720\/405\/lisa-murkowsi-talking-to-reporters-at-capitol.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1440\/810\/lisa-murkowsi-talking-to-reporters-at-capitol.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1200\/675\/lisa-murkowsi-talking-to-reporters-at-capitol.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks to reporters outside of the Capitol Building\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, speaks to members of the media following a vote outside the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025.\u00a0<\/span> <span>(Graeme Sloan\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">To Murkowski\u2019s latter issue, several lawmakers on both sides of the aisle acknowledge that though Blanche and the DOJ agreed to permanently rescind the fund in writing to Sens. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, there\u2019s nothing stopping Trump from reviving it.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">And on several occasions, he\u2019s made clear he wants to see it come back.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/foxnews.onelink.me\/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&amp;af_dp=foxnewsaf%3A%2F%2F&amp;af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fapps-products\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;The country needs an Attorney General who will check the worst impulses of this administration,&#8221; Murkowski said. &#8220;I hope Mr. Blanche is able to achieve that, if confirmed, but I simply do not have confidence that will be the case.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Before making her decision, Trump already took a swipe at her during an interview with Punch Bowl News published Friday morning.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;I\u2019m against Murkowski,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;I do more for Alaska than any president in history. No president\u2019s done for Alaska what I\u2019ve done. She\u2019s not good.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p> <!----> <!----> <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-bio\">\n<p>Alex Miller is a writer for Fox News Digital covering the U.S. Senate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! As Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche&#8217;s confirmation appeared headed for sure defeat, one on-the-fence Senate Republican gave him, and President Donald Trump, a vital lifeline.\u00a0 Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., has remained quiet throughout this and last week on how he would vote on Blanche, who barely survived&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32348,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cassidy-blanche-confirmation.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32347","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-political-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32347","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=32347"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32347\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/32348"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=32347"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=32347"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=32347"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}